Old Rag's main parking lot is closed through November
Construction closed the main Old Rag lot on Nethers Road on May 4, 2026. NPS expects the work to finish by November 2026. Use the Nethers Road overflow lots or the Berry Hollow lot on the Syria side.
Old Rag needs a $2 day-use ticket through November 30
Everyone on the Ridge, Saddle and Ridge Access trails needs a day-use ticket bought in advance on Recreation.gov, plus a park entrance pass. 400 tickets a day are released 30 days ahead and 400 five days ahead. A ticket does not reserve parking.
From the small Berry Hollow lot, a fire road and the Saddle Trail climb steadily to the summit from the west. You reach the same summit rocks as the circuit without crossing the Ridge Trail scramble, then return the way you came.
This is the closest Old Rag trailhead to Syria and Whiteoak Canyon, but it is a 50-minute drive from the Nethers lots on the other side of the mountain. Check which lot you are driving to before you leave.
No pets on this trail
Shenandoah prohibits pets on this route. Service animals are welcome. NPS pet rules
Day-use ticket required
$2 per person, March 1 to November 30, plus a park entrance pass. Recreation.gov
Highlights
- Avoids the Ridge Trail scramble
- Same summit views as the circuit
- Starts from the Syria side
Before you go
- Parking is extremely limited. Have a backup plan.
